Plastic receptacles for machine knitting needles



Jan. 22, 1963 I R. w. SHEPARD 3,074,613

PLASTIC RECEPTACLES FOR momma KNITTING NEEDLES Filed May 15, 1959 FIG. 2.

ROBERT W. SHEPARD INVENTOR- ATTORNEYS States The following specification relates to a novel plastic receptacle for machine knitting needles.

Machine knitting needles are customarily assembled in a package for convenience in distribution and ultimate use. Such machine needles are provided with butt ends which are formed with laterally extending portions. Economical packaging requires that the needles be assembled side by side with these lateral extensions in contact. One of the problems in their practical use is to prevent the individual needles from getting out of the desired alignment while in the package. The conditions under which such needles are used are such that while waiting removal from the package, the packages may lose a considerable part of the oil surrounding the individual needles. Also, the packages are apt to collect moisture and cause the needles to corrode.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved receptacle in which a considerable number of knitting machine needles will be held in orderly arrangement subject to ready removal one at a time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of maximum stiffness to protect the needles in shipment and storage.

By reason of the selection of oil retentive and moisture resistant plastic material of homogeneous character, further protection is given to the needles against corrosion and deterioration.

The improved type of material used for the receptacle prevents the latter from being discolored by oils. Further, it permits the selection of a material which is transparent. Thus the needles can be inspected through the receptacle. Also, a label may be slipped loosely in the receptacle in front of the needle points to identify the needles as to size or source of manufacture. Incidentally the selection of this plastic material permits the use of various colors which will serve to distinguish different sizes and types of needles as Well as permit a label, trademark or the like to be molded in the surface of the receptacle.

The preferred form of the invention has been illustrated by way of example on the attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the receptacle with the hood or flap in partially closed position, and

FIG. 2 is a front view of the receptacle with the hood raised.

Essentially the improved receptacle consists of an integral pocket and hood or flap made from a plastic material such as polyethylene and like plastics. The receptacle can be made by suitable injection molding or by heat sealing preformed plastic sheet material. Also such formation of a plastic permits the addition of other suitable material, as a single homogeneous film will serve the purpose, even though an outside layer may be discontinuous.

An integral pocket 4 is molded, extruded or otherwise produced from the suitable plastic material. In this construction the parts of the pocket are formed without seams at the edges or otherwise.

The pocket is formed with a back 5 and sides 6, 6. The sides taper slightly toward the bottom. A front panel 7 connects the sides 6, 6. The panel is of limited height providing an upper opening.

Patented Jars. 22, 1%83 Each side 6 has its upper portion cut back to form a curved edge 8 illustrated in FIG. 1. Above the cut-back portion 8, the sides project for their full width to form tabs 9.

The machine knitting needles 10 above described will fit within the pocket thus formed with the points at the bottom of the pocket and the butt ends 11 in alignment with the tabs 9. The needles may then be visible through the front panel of the pocket so that they may be counted and otherwise inspected. Individual needles may readily be lifted from the line as the needle butts project forwardly and can be grasped easily.

A hood 12 is integrally formed at the top of the back 5. The hood has an intermediate portion 13 shown in FIG. 2 to have the full width of the receptacle. This will permit the hood to be brought down and rest upon the front edges of the tabs 9.

To facilitate uniform bending of the hood, notches 14, 14 are provided at the outer corners of the back 5.

A tongue 15 the inner width of the pocket 4, extends beyond the intermediate portion 13 of the hood. This tongue will fit between the side portions 6, 6 and extend well within the pocket so as to protect the mid-portions of the needles 10 and hold the portion 13 snugly against the tabs 9 and the sides 6, 6.

A receptacle constructed of polyethylene or similar flexible plastic can be made transparent or colored to suit. It will permit packaging a desired quantity of needles in orderly arrangement. They may be inspected through the front panel or the latter may carry an interior label clearly visible through the panel. However, the material also lends itself to the molding of the trademark or the designation of the contents.

By bending the hood forward and down, the folding will be localized at the top of the back. The tongue after insertion in front of the needles will be held in place by the natural resiliency of the material.

A package of needles thus contained has increased stiffness. It can be stored and handled without damage to the needles or Without loss of lubricant or absorption of corroding moisture.

It will be apparent that the examples given above may be altered by changes in material in minor details and proportions without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claim.

What I claim is:

A receptacle for machine knitting needles and the like each having maximum width at one end, comprising a seamless pocket of plastic material having an end opening, forwardly projecting sides narrowing in width opposite the opening, and a front panel, tabs on the sides of the pocket extending forwardly opposite the opening, and an integral flexible hood on the end of the pocket, said hood having a relatively narrow portion connecting with the back of the pocket, a wide intermediate portion resting on the tabs and sides, and a narrow tongue extending within the opening between the narrow portions of the sides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 203,953 Thomas May 21, 1878 ,391,288 Waldes Sept. 20, 1921 2,450,089 Hiergesell et a1. Sept. 28, 1948 2,771,187 Haile Nov. 20, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 71,910 Austria June 10, 1916 1,051,191 Germany Feb. 19, 959 

